Louisiana lawmakers will hold a veto session for the first time since the current state Constitution was enacted in 1974. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat said capitol observers have expected an override session ever since the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports.
“The reaction from legislators was almost instantaneous and immediate that they were coming back to Baton Rouge and try to override his veto,” said Pinsonat.
The veto session will begin Tuesday and cannot exceed five calendar days. Only 12 members of the Senate and 35 House members voted against holding the session and a majority vote in either chamber would have canceled it.
Pinsonat said all eyes are on the Senate.
“If the Senate does not override, then it doesn’t even go to the House. The Senate has a history of being the deathbed of a lot of social issues,” said Pinsonat.
Pinsonat said the bipartisan legislation involving transgender athletes cleared the Legislature with enough support to override a veto if that support holds. That means the Governor has an uphill fight ahead of him…
“How do you come back after voting for it and then yielding to the Governor and upholding his veto? A lot of pressure on legislators, most of them voted for this,” said Pinsonat.
Pinsonat said the chances of the veto involving concealed carry legislation being overturned are much lower due to the lack of public support for the bill.
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